Greensboro College, under the direction of third-year Head Coach Randy Tuggle was picked in the pre-season coaches’ poll to win the USA South Athletic Conference 2011-12 women’s basketball title. This season, The Pride will attempt to defend their USA South regular season title from a year ago, the program’s fifth in the past seven years.
The Pride return four starters from last season, including All-American candidate Danielle Duncan. Duncan started 29 games last season for The Pride and averaged 21.6 points per game. She shot .505 from the floor and an impressive .817 from the free throw line. In addition to her prolific scoring, she pulled down 277 rebounds and had 31 steals. She finished second in the conference in scoring and third in rebounding. Duncan has 1489 points in her career.
The team finished 28-3 last season and 17-1 in USA South play. The Pride’s only conference loss was to USA South tournament champion Christopher Newport. Greensboro received an at-large bid to last season’s NCAA tournament and defeated St. Vincent College (83-66) in the first round and Juniata (57-55), before falling to Chicago in the Sweet Sixteen. The Pride won a record 24 straight games to start last season and look to start this season on the same note.
Greensboro received six of ten first-place votes (78 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.
Ferrum College finished second in the poll with 73 points and three first-place votes. Defending USA South Tournament Champions, Christopher Newport University placed third in the poll with 64 points and the final first-place vote. Methodist University and Averett University rounded out the top half of the poll with 56 and 45 points, respectfully.
The 2011-12 campaign tips-off on Tuesday, November 15, when eight USA South teams take on non-conference opposition.
Pos. Team Votes
1 Greensboro 78 (6)
2 Ferrum 73 (3)
3 Christopher Newport 64 (1)
4 Methodist 56
5 Averett 45
6 Shenandoah 43
7 Meredith 31
8 N.C. Wesleyan 24
9 Mary Baldwin 22
10 Peace 14